Tybalt Capulet

Character dossier

Tybalt Capulet

Character dossier

Status in the play

Tybalt is one of the main antagonists of the play.

overview

Tybalt having grown up between the feud only feels hatred for the Montague family. We see this overwhelming hatred take control of his character right from the start when he appears in the feud and in just his second line he states "What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee." (line 64-65) This is a very strong and important line as it gives insight into his character and the environment he has been brought up.

Tybalt is a very family orientated character that will do anything to uphold his honour, even if it means to kill. His honour is revealed to the audience much later in the play, not until the end of act 1, when Romeo comes uninvited to the capulet's ball. After he sees Romeo at the party he says "Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold not a sin." In this statement we see just how far Tybalt will go for his family honour. He does not find it unjust to kill Romeo (an innocent man) for the sake of his family pride. This gives us insight into the environment that Tybalt has grown up in, and allows readers to realise that Tybalt is just a product of his environment along with his hatred and honour.

Objective

It is the hatred as well as the honour that form Tybalt's character who also form his objective in the play. After Lord Capulet tells Tybalt to let Romeo be, Tybalt swears to himself that "[He]...will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall." Tybalt's prophesy outlines his objective for the rest of the play: to seek revenge on Romeo, and return his family honour.

Costuming & physical appearance

Tybalt's name comes from a cat in a popular fairytale Reynard The Fox who is also referred to as "The Prince of Cats".

I would like to play on this idea in the film, making Tybalt a neat and tidy character, who is careful about his grooming.

Like in Baz Luhrmann's modern adaptation of the film I like the way the made his facial hair, a it reminded me of a cat. For this reason Tybalt should have a moustache, that he keeps well greased and often twirls around when he is thinking.

What I didn't like in the modern adaptation was how Tybalt was perceived as the devil, for it seemed like he was only made up of evil which is not true for Shakespeare made sure all of his characters had good and bad qualities.

Facial hair

I like the way they used his facial hair to bring in characteristics of a cat.

curly hair

I think the curly hair looked very affective and reminds me of the complexity of the charter.

the cape

I like the ida of Tybalt wearing a cape for he can swish it around and create dramatic affect.

Facial hair

I like the way they used his facial hair to bring in characteristics of a cat.

curly hair

I think the curly hair looked very affective and reminds me of the complexity of the charter.

the cape

I like the ida of Tybalt wearing a cape for he can swish it around and create dramatic affect.

Behaviour

Tybalt "The Prince of Cats" the cat side of Tybalt's character is very important and should be played with thought the movement of the character. Tybalt should be perceived as sly and careful on his feet, he is often seen prancing around and seeing what others are up to satisfying his curiosity. Tybalt should be quite curious because after all it was "curiosity that killed the cat". So therefore it will be curiosity that kills him, for it is his curiosity that leads him to find romeo at the path which ultimately leads to his death.

When anger takes over Tybalt, although we see the anger physically building up inside him, his speech stays cool and confident.

relationships

With Juliet... Tybalt is Juliet's close cousin, and although their personalities are very different they get on very well for they get on very well. Tybalt is often seen protecting Juliet and looking after her so if he knew of her love for Romeo he would be devastated.

With Lord Capulet....... Tybalt is Lord Capulet's nephew and has great respect for him as Tybalt respect's his uncle, although his views sometimes differ to his own.

With Lady Capulet...... Tybalt is Lady Capulet's nephew, there are also some who say that Tybalt and Lady Capulet are secret lovers. Like in the modern adaptation of the film directed by Baz Luhrmann. However I think this connection to be weak and will therefore not appear in the film.

With Romeo..... Tybalt is romeo's main rival, Tybalt feels only but hatred for Romeo, and wishes only for his demise and the honour of the Capulets.